@Mattyb
It's really two things - #1 Time, MS state used to drag passed midnight and there always seemed to be a snow storm. I one year we got home at like 3 or 4 am.
#2 encourage more participation, as a parent I didn't waste my time or money last year for my 5th grader to go 0-2 and I wasn't going to this year, but now with a qualifier in place. It makes more sense and we will probably try it out. More kids might take a stab why whittling down MS state to truly guys that belong there.
You will also now know what you are getting, 32 man bracket, the host facility can plan accordingly and it's all good.
Finally, not to be mean or close minded but we don't hand out state qualifiers at High School, so why do it at MS? I bet Mendez can go find better competition than Sectionals or Regionals or Semi-State, but that's the process.
It's about goal setting and prioritization - do you want to shoot for a Middle School State Championship or do you have bigger goals?